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Things I Love

Calling Teen Writers – Atlas Shrugged Essay Contest

I just love contests. Who doesn’t like to win stuff? Especially M-O-N-E-Y. When I was a teen growing up in Fairport, NY the local radio station had the Song-of-the-Day contests. I’d listen all day, waiting for that one song to play. Then when it came on, I’d feverishly dial the phone number trying to get through. To this day, I can still recall the pounding of my heart when instead of that annoying busy signal, I heard the phone ring on the other end. And I hoped I’d be the correct caller. On

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Things I Love

Asheville was Calling, so I had to Answer

I can’t believe it’s been over a month since I blogged. I’ve been spending some long overdue quality time with the family, getting my young adult novel ready for the freelance editor I’ve hired, taking a family vacation, managing a crazy work schedule and dealing with some upheaval in my daughter’s gymnastics life. You see, the coaches she’s had for a little over three years have moved a few hours away to be closer to their family. Under these coaches, my daughter has grown tremendously as a

Things I Love

A Bloomin’ Tree

Don’t you just love spring? We’ve had an unseasonably cool spring down here in Atlanta. However, I won’t complain because before I know it, I’ll be cursing a summer heat wave. Aside from my writing, I love to take photographs. I’m always snapping a photo of anything and everything. I can’t tell you how many photos I have that are “book” related. From settings and people, to inspiration and theme. It’s a fun hobby and helps fuel more of my creative spirit for writing my novels. This afternoon I

Things I Love

I Don’t Believe in Love at First Sight, But…

My mantra is “Life is too short to be miserable.” So when I saw this, I immediately fell in #SIGNAGE-LOVE. Am I right? Don’t you just LOVE this?!?! I’m thinking this will make a great high school graduation gift for my niece. Add some cash and a copy of Dr. Seuss’ Oh, the Places You’ll Go and she’ll be good to go. If you’d like one of those signs for yourself (or a teen you love), check out the framed art department in your local Target… Happy Weekend!!!

Things I Love

Dreams Without Action Stay Dreams

Yesterday I had one of the proudest moments as a parent. My demure tween auditioned for a play!! This is the same child who can barely order a burrito at Moe’s and who doesn’t raise her hand in class. Late last year, she announced she wanted to try acting. I said cool and we talked about what she could do to make that dream a reality. We tossed around drama camp, classes and being an extra in one of the many films being shot in our area. A couple weeks later, she came home with a flyer

Things I Love

“Almost Spring” Flowers

The splashes of colorful blooms sprouting in my yard are sure indicators that spring is almost here. Believe it or not, we’ve had daffodils blooming since early February. I love the pop of color the flowers provide against a dreary winter landscape. I pull out photos like these when I’m writing and need some inspiration. My favorites are the purple crocuses. Enjoy… Purple Spring Crocus Yellow Daffodils Purple Spring Crocus

Things I Love

Life is Too Short to Be Miserable

In high school, I floated between a few “cliques.” I ran track, so was sort of a jock. I took honors classes, so was sort of a braniac and proudly sat with my artsy friends at lunch. I was definitely confident in my own skin and felt comfortable with who I hang with. I don’t ever recall feeling pressure to hang with one group versus another because it would jeopardize my place on the popularity ladder. My idealistic self believes all young adults should feel comfortable being themselves and not

Things I Love

A Post Not Really About Valentine’s Day

I never had Valentine’s Day until I was nineteen years old. It’s not due to some glamorous notion my parents had that Valentine’s Day was a “Hallmark Holiday” and chose to buck establishment. The reality was that I grew up in a religion – uhmmm cult -- in which all holidays are pagan, therefore evil and (read in a stern, gruff voice) NOT TO BE CELEBRATED. Yes – I was the kid in school who went to the library when the class was celebrating birthdays or singing Christmas songs or exchanging

Things I Love

Not Quite Astronomy 101

For my latest young adult novel, I needed to give my heroine a hobby with some backstory. I’ve always had an affinity of all things celestial, and thought it would be fun to research, so I gave her, drumroll please… astronomy. My first in-depth glimpse at the stars was in elementary school when we took a trip to the Morehead Planetarium and Science Center. I still remember the exhilarating rush I felt as the stars illuminated the night sky above us and the narrator described all the